LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a piece of legislation Thursday that brings back happy hours to the state of Indiana following a near 40-year ban. Aimed at reducing drunk driving, happy hours were banned in the state in 1985.
“All right July one, happy days are here again,” Holcomb said after signing the bill from behind the bar of the Whistle Stop Inn, a bar and grill in downtown Indianapolis.
Indiana lawmakers now say happy hour will help restaurants and bars stay open. When news of the legislation reinstating happy hour came out, Indiana bar owners were happy to know they'd no longer lose business to bars across the river in Louisville where they could get cheaper drinks.
The happy hour legislation flew through the Indiana Statehouse with almost no opposition. Lawmakers seemly brought back happy hour as a post-pandemic recovery tool to help the struggling restaurant and bar industry in Indiana.
The second term Republican governor has signed 167 bills this year, his last in office under state term limits. Once bills reach the governor’s desk, he has seven days to either sign or veto them. If no action is taken, the bill automatically becomes law.
Most laws in Indiana go into effect July 1, unless otherwise stipulated.
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- New bill would bring happy hour back to Indiana bars, restaurants
- Indiana lawmakers support lifting state ban on happy hours
Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
